How to Spend One Day in Valletta, Malta

We’ve just come back from 10 days in Malta, and included in that, we spent a little over 24 hours exploring the island’s capital city, Valletta. And dare I say that Valletta was probably my favorite part of Malta. It’s very rare that I’d label a city my favorite place, but honestly, Valletta is such a cool, photogenic city – and I can’t wait to return.

So, here’s our ultimate guide to spending one day in Valletta…

Why visit Valletta?

If I had to use one word to describe Valletta, it would be ‘golden’ – you see, nearly all the buildings here are made from Maltese limestone, and that gives the city its iconic honey-colored appearance. It also gives off Game of Thrones vibes because Valletta and its neighboring harbor region in Malta served as the setting for numerous iconic scenes of King’s Landing and the Red Keep in the first season of Game of Thrones.

Its history of knights is also very Game of Thrones-esque.

Let me explain – Valletta was established by the Order of St. John of Jerusalem (also known as the Knights Hospitaller) after the Great Siege of 1565, where they successfully defended Malta against the Ottoman Empire. To fortify their position, the knights founded the city of Valletta, named after their Grand Master, Jean Parisot de Valette, who led the defense during the siege. And Valletta quickly became a symbol of their resilience.

Plus, in 1980, the city was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, acknowledging its remarkable blend of history, art, and architecture.

And today, in 2026, it stands as Europe’s smallest capital city, but despite its size, it sure packs a punch!

How We Spent One Day in Valletta

Morning – Wander the city & get your bearings

I don’t know about you, but one of my favorite things to do when I get to a new city is to aimlessly wander through its most popular streets and areas before the city comes to life. That way, I can get a feel for the city, find my bearings, and make a mental note of what restaurants and Cafes I want to check out.

One of the most iconic streets here is Republic Street; it’s busy and is lined with shops, cafes, and historic landmarks, including the magnificent St. John’s Co-Cathedral. Cafe Cordina is also located along here (in Republic Square), and this lively spot with lots of outdoor seating was featured in the movie Munich.

For a quieter wander, Merchant Street is the perfect place to see the traditional Maltese balconies (gallariji) and is home to the vibrant and colorful Valletta Open Market.

You shouldn’t miss Strait Street either, known for its lively nightlife, it is a hub for trendy bars and dining spots while retaining its historic charm. And it’s interesting to see it in the morning – without anyone around.

Lastly, Old Bakery Street offers a quieter, more local vibe, with beautiful architecture and a glimpse into the daily life of Valletta’s residents.

Mid-day – Watch the Saluting Battery

This is Malta’s most famous live cannon experience. Located in the bastions directly beneath the Upper Barrakka Gardens, it offers sweeping views of the Grand Harbour. And the experience itself is certainly unique – you will watch uniformed gunners operate 16th-century cannons. There’s just one firing of the cannon – so make sure you’re paying attention, and before that, you can listen to a short military presentation about the history of this experience.

Cannons are fired daily at 12 pm and at 4 pm – so you could come here late afternoon instead if that suits you better. It was very hot at midday when we visited in early June, so the 4 pm show may suit you better if you’re not keen on the heat!

I will add that you can watch for free from the terrace of the Upper Barrakka Gardens, but I highly recommend paying the €3 entry fee per adult to stand at the battery level to get up close and hear the military presentation.

Afternoon – Grandmaster’s Palace & St John’s Co-Cathedral

To escape the afternoon heat, we ticked off two of Valletta’s most iconic attractions – the Grandmaster’s Palace and St John’s Co-Cathedral.

My daughters (aged 4 & 5) especially loved the Grandmaster’s Palace because it has a lovely courtyard with a fountain, and the Armory really impressed them (it’s huge!) – and houses a remarkable collection of weapons and armor!

The palace was built in the 16th century, when it served as the residence of the Grand Master of the Knights of St. John. And it really is a great example of Maltese Baroque architecture, with its impressive halls adorned with intricate frescoes, tapestries, and suits of armor. Interestingly, today, it houses the Office of the President of Malta and the House of Representatives, but many parts of it are still open to the public as a museum, namely the many opulent State Rooms and the Armory.

Afterward, we grabbed a coffee from what is known as one of the best coffee shops in Europe – Lot 61 Coffee Roasters, it was just that time of day.

St John’s Co-Cathedral:

Next, we went to St John’s Co-Cathedral, which is called a co-cathedral (a word I’d never heard of before) because the main cathedral in Malta – St Paul’s Cathedral is located in the nearby city of M’dina.

And this one was built between 1572 and 1577 by the Order of St. John and was meant to be the main church for the Knights.

From the outside, it looks pretty unassuming, but step inside, and it’s a whole different story – think intricate frescoes, gilded sculptures, and fancy marble floors. And yes, this is the cathedral that’s home to Caravaggio’s famous painting, “The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist,” which you’ll find in the Oratory.

The cathedral also has eight chapels, each dedicated to a patron saint of the Knights’ different sections. It’s so much more than just a place of worship; however, the entry fee is a bit steep, I think – at 15 euros per adult.

❤️ Here are some awesome guided tours in Valletta:

Early Evening – Walk along the harbor

Before dinner, we decided to take a walk along the harbor, which is around 20 minutes walk from the city center.

Here in the harbor area, old-world charm meets the modern side of the city. The harbor is sprinkled with all sorts of colorful boats, from the traditional Maltese luzzu to sleek modern yachts. On one side, the city’s fortified walls rise up, and on the other side, the shimmering waters stretch out. It’s a lovely contrast – and the harbor is also one of the best spots to come for sunset. Along the walkway, there are a couple of cute cafes and stylish restaurants.

Dinner on Old Theatre Street

Our apartment was in the southern end of Valletta city, and we loved the buzz around here in the evening, especially the Triq San Gwann and St Lucia’s Street steps. Here, the streets are very narrow, so space is limited, and you will see that the restaurants have precariously balanced tables and chairs on the smooth limestone streets. And you will likely have to walk single file so as not to bump into any of the tables. But it’s that sort of chaos that adds to this area’s charm.

We had two dinners in Valletta – Pastaus on Old Theatre Street on our first night, all the pasta is fresh, and you just pick your pasta type (they have a display plate to show you the different types), and then your sauce, and voila. It was excellent!

On our second night, we opted for something different – The City Crown, also on Old Theatre Street – which has great burgers and freshly made pasta.

Old Theatre Street is also home to the famous Teatro Manuel, one of the oldest theatres in Europe. You will need to book your tickets for this in advance – we didn’t and there was no availability during our stay in Valletta.

Evening – Walk to the Triton Fountain

Beautifully illuminated at night, the Triton Fountain, at the end of Republic Street, is a lovely spot to stroll to after dinner (ideally with a gelato in hand). Built in 1959, the fountain consists of three bronze figures of mythological Tritons holding up a huge circular basin.

Where to Stay in Valletta

We booked a traditional Maltese apartment for our two-night stay in Valletta, and the space was a welcome change from our all-inclusive hotel room in Bugibba previously. The apartment was located on West Street, and it was beautifully done up while retaining its historic charm.

Thanks for Reading!

In short, Valletta is a small city with a big heart. It’s so photogenic, vibrant, and there’s so much to do here. Tell me, how did you find our guide to one day in Valletta?

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Last Updated on June 9, 2026 by snaphappytravel